Thursday, February 24, 2011

Interview: James Dashner (Author of The Maze Runner and Scorch Trials!)

Author James Dashner visits The Hiding Spot today to chat about his newest novel, THE SCORCH TRIALS, what he's working on right now, and more!

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Give a short statement describing THE SCORCH TRIALS, your most recent release.It’s a very direct sequel to THE MAZE RUNNER, beginning just four hours after that one ended. The Gladers wake up to realize not everything is quite as safe as it seemed, and they’re thrust into the real world, having to endure a grueling trek across the Scorch, an area devastated by sun flares. All for a very important reason that I can’t tell you yet!

Was there a particular story or idea that inspired the writing of THE MAZE RUNNER and/or THE SCORCH TRIALS?Most definitely: ENDER’S GAME, LORD OF THE FLIES, and the TV show LOST.

As you wrote, did you have a specific message in mind, regardless of the message readers ultimately end up taking from the novel?No, never. I never want to purposefully try to inject a message into my stories. However, I think that moral dilemmas and philosophical questions will naturally arise. The main theme of this trilogy is the concept of the ends justifying the means, and that not everything in life is black and white. Maybe nothing, actually.

What are you currently working on?Revisions for THE DEATH CURE, the beginnings of my next series with Random House, and a few other tidbits.

Name a novel that distinctly influenced you (your life, your writing, your attitudes, or something of that nature) and explain.THE STAND by Stephen King. It was the first time I ever truly, completely became engrossed in a book, where it took over my life and felt real. I’ve wanted to duplicate it ever since and hope to do so someday.My blog is dedicated to my personal hiding spot, books. Who, what, or where can be credited as your personal escape from reality?As much as I love to read, I would say that my true escape is movies. I love movies, and I see almost every one that comes out. They are my love, and my best writing always comes right after seeing one.

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Be sure to catch up on this series by reading THE MAZE RUNNER (now out in paperback!) and THE SCORCH TRIALS before THE DEATH CURE releases October 11th, 2011!

I just read The Maze Runner and The Scorch Trials last week (quite obsessively, as you might imagine) and now I'm in almost literal pain waiting for the next book. :) Great interview! I think it's safe to say that James Dashner is my new favorite author.